NAS Aims to Mirror Rafael Nadal Academy's Success in Developing World-Class Athletes
The National Academy for Sports (NAS) has set its sights on producing world-class athletes, drawing inspiration from the Rafael Nadal Sports Academy's role in nurturing rising tennis sensation Alex Eala. This ambitious goal was emphasized by newly appointed NAS executive director Francis Carlos Diaz during a recent forum, where he outlined the academy's global vision.
Global Thinking and Strategic Direction
Francis Carlos Diaz, a former dean at the University of the Philippines College of Human Kinetics, stressed the importance of thinking globally as he met with program heads upon assuming office last week. In the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Diaz pointed to Alex Eala as a prime example of how a sports academy can shape athletic success.
"Alex Eala was an example of an athlete who was groomed and taught by a sports academy – the Rafael Nadal Academy with an academic program embedded in his program. And we can see how much success Alex is enjoying right now," said Diaz. He added that NAS is aligning its approach with the Nadal Academy, founded by retired Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal in 2016, to foster similar achievements.
Diaz explained, "That’s what we do at NAS, actually. So it can be likened to that. We’re looking at it as if there are challenges and we are facing them. And we’re transforming all of these into opportunities and we’re not lacking in seeking out partners to be able to deliver all of this funding to our student-athletes." This proactive strategy aims to secure resources and support for the academy's mission.
Two-Fold Responsibility and Current Focus
Established in 2020 through Republic Act 11470, NAS operates from its main campus at the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac, currently housing 237 student-athletes. Diaz highlighted the academy's dual responsibilities, comparing it to institutions like the Philippine Science High School and the Philippine High School for the Arts in Makiling, Laguna.
"To provide quality and holistic secondary education to all student-athletes enrolled and, secondly, this is the special niche of those enrolled there. They are being developed by the academy to become future national athletes of our country, hopefully, to compete in sub-regional meets like the Southeast Asian Games, the regionals like the Asian Games, all the way to the Olympics," Diaz elaborated. He took over from professor Josephine Joy Reyes, aiming to build on this foundation.
Currently, NAS concentrates on key sports disciplines to maximize its impact. The academy is focused on:
- Athletics
- Aquatics
- Taekwondo
- Badminton
- Table tennis
- Judo
- Gymnastics
This targeted approach ensures that student-athletes receive specialized training while maintaining academic excellence, paving the way for future successes on both regional and global stages.
